Refashion Runway Week 1 Voting Has Begun!

Hi Everyone,

Check out my design and the competition at this link :
Refashion Runway Voting


You will have to scroll down and look at everyone.  At the end of the post there is a simple click on the bubble voting menu.

The competition is fierce.  Everyone is so talented!

Check it out and place your vote! :)

Thanks Mary

Hi Everyone!

Here is the scoop on "Refashion Runway."  I can't believe I will be competing with 7 of the best refashion experts around.  What an honor!  Here is a link to see the other talented ladies in this competition, hosted by Beth the Renegade Seamstress ,  or you can also click on the button to the right in my sidebar. 


The themes are very open ended for interpretation:

Week One: Stripes  (almost done!)

Week Two: Denim

Week Three: Copy cat from a magazine, catalog or celebrity

Week Four: Summer Dress

You will be able to view all of the designs on Beth’s blog this Saturday June 8th, and you will be able to cast your vote that day for your favorite refashion!  Just link to her blog for instructions.  (Don't worry I will remind you.)  I am nervous and excited at the same time.  What a great way to get to know everyone and make friends with people who love to do the same things.

Hope I can earn your vote on June 8th.  I will keep you informed along the way.

Happy Refashioning,

Mary


Mary

Refashion Inspired by Pabral Gurung

 Hi Everyone!
If you haven't already done so, please remember to sign up for updates on my new website
                                                                 marysthriftychic.com

Latest finished project inspired by Pabral Gurung

 Here is my latest project followed by the inspiration and turorial.  Great things are happening at Mary's Thrifty Chic.  I am to be part of the online competition "Refashion Runway" hosted by my friend Beth the  self titled, "Renegade Seamstress.  Details and links to follow soon.  I am already working on my first project, simply called "stripes!"

I was watching "Katie" over the Memorial Day weekend and was immediately obsessed by the Pabral Gurung dress Jeannie Mai is wearing.  This picture does in no way do it justice.  The color, print, and shape were amazing!

I immediately saw potential for interpretation when I saw these two pieces at Goodwill.  The black t-shirt was a 1x with the tags still on it, and the ABG chiffon T-shirt was gently used.

Following is the tutorial

Make fit changes in the side seams and under the arms

                                                       Cut the back off of the chiffon T-shirt

 Size the front panel fitting the floral pattern in the middle of the t-shirt

                                                      Mark the panel on the black t-shirt

 Cut the center panel centering the floral pattern

Hand baste the applique

                                     Sew the applique close to the edge all the way around.

                  For the last step I shortened the sleeves, and from there it was just press and done!

I knew I had a hit when I attended this training at school and quite a few people admired it.  I typically test drive a garment before I post.  If it goes unnoticed, I will often go back for a few tweeks to the design.   I had fun with this t-shirt and I am still looking for the right garments to try a dress version.

Well that's it for now.  Keep watching for updates.  My "stripes" project is coming along.

Until then, Happy Thrifting, Refashioning, and Sewing!

Mary

Recent Thrift Shop Purchase

Hi Everyone!

Have you moved to my new refashioned website? marysthriftychic.com

Check out my latest deal.

I found this little accessory at "Goodwill" very recently.  Original price was $7.99 but I got it for $3.99 on half price tag color day!  This purse was never used and  I just loved how happy it made me feel. The colors are perfect for Spring/Summer.  I went out to do my errands with it today and it did spark a few conversations while standing in line.  Fellow fashionistas are never afraid to speak up when they see something that catches their eye!

See you next time.

Until then, Happy refashioning

Yours,

Mary

Prom Refashioned/Then and Now

Hi All!

Just a friendly reminder to switch over to my new site:
marysthriftychic.com  in a few weeks or so I will stop sending out posts from this site.  I just want to give all of you busy people a chance to move over with me.

This week I want to talk about prom.  My how times have changed since I was  a teen!  "Back in the day,"  the guy said, "do you want to go to prom with me?"  This was followed by dress buying, maybe a salon hairdo if you were lucky, and no one I knew ever got their nails done back then.  Your date knocked on the door,  followed by pictures in the family living room, and you drove off in your date's family vehicle.  That was my experience.  I had a great time in my simple little floral cotton print dress with puffy sleeves, platform shoes, (you can't see them) and a borrowed bag from my mother.

Below are two of my nostalgic pictures.  I have blurred my date's face to save him any embarrassment by being seen in the "Brady Bunch" prom fashions LOL!

Please forgive the picture quality.  These came from faded Kodak photos.  No digital cameras back then!

              Do we look uncomfortable or what?  What inspired this prom nostalgia you ask?

                  Well from time to time I take on alterations to earn a little extra "mad money."
                                    I happened to take on this little number by Sherri Hill.

As you can see,  these days prom dresses are all about the bling and many look ready for the "Red Carpet."  Prom invitations are now total extravaganzas.  The biggest and most clever invitation wins. Prom goers have salon hair, nails, make-up, and are transported in party buses or chauffeured limos.

There were four layers of dress to hem here.  The last was a bias cut chiffon that needed to be meticulously hand basted and rolled before sewing.  The bottom line on this alteration was it was hard, painstaking, and made me sweat plenty!  Happy to do it for my friend, but bias cut chiffon, arrghhhh!  Never again...LOL!

I have big things coming up!

Stay tuned...

Mary

Thrifty Chic Has Been Refashioned!

Thrifty Chic has been refashioned!  Please move with me!  I would love to see you at:

marysthriftychic.com

More refashions and Thrifty Chic Lifestyle await!  See you there...


Your Friend in Refashion,

Mary

Happy Mother's Day /Thrifty Chic is Being Refashioned!

Happy Mother's Day to All!

I had a wonderful day with my family.  We met my son at his college campus, had an enormous breakfast and a beautiful walk before it got too hot.   Here we are in the Zen Garden for a picture after breakfast.  I am so proud to have these two handsome boys!

Of course I had to wear one of my refashions.  So perfect for our casual breakfast in a college town.

As I have been telling you, Thrifty Chic is undergoing a major refashion.  It is still undergoing tweeks and changes over the few weeks, but I am so excited for you all to see a preview.  Let's start the move!  I hope you will sign up and change to the new site.  If you have any problems please contact me.

The new site is:

marysthriftychic.com

Hope to see you there!

Refashioning Has Other Perks!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ME!

   http://www.6pm.com/steve-madden-womens-shoes~3N?s=recentSalesStyle/desc

How are These Shoes a Refashion Perk?  

 Well, when you spend so little on the clothing you can afford an accessory or two to make it all come together.

I had been stalking these adorable oxfords at DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) for weeks!  Their suggested retail price was $129.95 and on sale for  $89.95 (still too much).    Then much to my horror they disappeared from the shelves.  NOOOO!

I had a hunch since they weren't selling at DSW that possibly they were farmed out to a discount venue.  I punched 6pm.com  onto my keyboard and there they were for $71.99!  This site is a great place for wonderful styles that are still relevant but maybe a little out of season or slow sellers elsewhere.  I don't care if anyone else in my area liked them.  I DO!  The only trouble is...they were still too expensive even on this great website. :(

I went back to DSW with the hope that maybe, just maybe, one pair had made it to the clearance rack AND... I was rewarded.   There they were, sitting on the bottom of the clearance rack just waiting for me. YES! At 30% off I paid $62 plus tax but hey, it is Mother's Day right? 

The moral of the story is that sometimes you just have to wait out a sale and do a little extra legwork (or keywork) if it was meant to be, it will be worth it.  After all, it is the thrill of the hunt and the victory of the find isn't it?

                                                                        Happy Feet :)             

The shoes are the most expensive thing here.   My jeans were from "Goodwill" on half price tag special.  They cost about $2.50.  All they needed was an alteration of the waist.   Below is a better picture of the shirt I refashioned from a mans dress shirt last year.  I believe I paid about $5.00 for that one.

                                   I would love to hear your comments...

By the way, my new site is coming along and I am estimating its debut in a few weeks.  I can't wait to share my "refashioned" website. 
                                                  'til next time
                              Happy fashion and refashion adventures,

                                                        Mary

This Thrift Store Find Needs No Refashion!

Hi Everyone!

    One of the best things about thrift shopping and refashioning is that I can afford to take fashion risks and choose things I wouldn't even look at ordinarily.  Typically,  I would choose my wardrobe based strictly on need for the basics.  Don't most of us do that?  We put ourselves on the back burner because the car needs tires,  the kids need this and that...you know how it goes! 

     However,  when you only have to pay such a small amount for something you like, you can afford to take a risk.  This blouse was one such purchase.  I would never have picked this out before thrift shops.  I would have chosen something much more sensible, probably a basic T-shirt.  I only paid $3.00 for this one and I received so many compliments.  Once again, the tags were still on  it!

The stripe is totally denim friendly, the fabric is comfortable,  and I can move easily around the house and the classroom.    This one even helped me with a lesson on adjectives. We made a list of adjectives to describe my blouse.   Love that kid who came up with "winged!"  What's not to like?  Worth the risk?  I think so.  No refashion required on this one!

Remember!  Just reminding you that big changes are coming!

Thrifty Chic will be getting a new look and a new address.  I will give you plenty of warning and advance notice so you can follow me and my refashion adventures.  I'll keep you posted as the time grows closer.

'Til Next Time...

Happy Refashion and thrifting

 adventures to you all!

Mary

Size 16 to Size 8 Refashioned Blouse

Hi Everyone!

A few months ago, I found this  size 16 beauty at my local "Goodwill" thrift shop.  It was not my size but I could picture a great blouse when I saw it.  I was careful to check it out from top to bottom.  The biggest thing about purchasing white shirts it to make sure there are no yellow underarm stains.  You want gently used or preferably unused.

Size 16 and frumpy, but I see potential.

                                                               

AFTER

       I must tell you that this blouse gave me quite a struggle.  I was going to go with set in sleeves but I kept playing with them and this cap puffed sleeve is what I finally ended with.  At one point I was ready to put this on the blooper pile but I never gave up!

Following is the tutorial:

                                                         Cut off the sleeves

  

                       Pin size changes on the  side seams. Make sure to check the fit.

Cut a short sleeve from the  old sleeve

Gather the cap of the sleeve and reset to the desired length

I struggled with it for a while but then ended up changing it to a capped sleeve.  Resetting any sleeve takes time and patience.

The final product! This one was a hard fought battle to get the sleeves just right.

 

  ATTENTION!  Just letting you know big changes are coming!

Thrifty Chic will be getting a new look and a new address.  I will give you plenty of warning and advance notice so you can follow me and my refashion adventures.  I will keep you posted as the time grows closer.

'Til Next Time...

Happy Refashion adventures to you all!

Mary

Lace Dress Refashion

                                                                 MY INSPIRATION

Hi Everyone!

I coveted this look for quite a while but could not even think of buying it new.  The lace tunic pictured was $238 retail.  Yikes!

Finally, the perfect dress appeared at "Goodwill." I had to pay $7.99 for it but I was sure I could make it work.  Remember, this is LA and even Goodwill is expensive!  I liked the fact that this lace had a stripe pattern.  I don't like lace to come off as "wedding" or look like a tablecloth or curtains.
                                                                          BEFORE

 

 AFTER!  I am trying to loosen up a bit with the modeling thing LOL!

I think I achieved the look.  Don't you?

THE LACE PATTERN

  1.     I started by cutting off the bodice and making a square panel and sleeves.  My plan was to make a boat neckline.  After studying the shape and the way the fabric fell over the form,

I quickly decided to get rid of the sleeves.   The new plan was to add lace edging to the armhole edges and the bottom hem.  I found the perfect lace at the bottom of my "Bag O Trims."  The lace I used was one that I bought back in 1990 to use refashioning my wedding dress.  (You'll see that post in May for my anniversary).


2.     I took the large rectangle and pinned shoulder seams and neck opening.  I basted these together by hand first, then carefully stitched them down.

3.      I carefully sliced both sides of the fabric for the armhole.

4.     The next step was to pin and hand baste the trim around the armholes.  I folded over the edge of the trim to encase the lace and automatically finish the inside edge.

5.  Once the lace was set I sewed it down outward toward the sleeve.

6.  The hem was easy.  I just topstitched the lace over the edge.  No turning edges here.

Hope you like this one.  I paired it with a tank underneath and my accessories are very similar to the picture.  I don't think I will wear this as a swimsuit cover.  the lace is much too delicate.

I love to hear your comments.  Let's dish!

Mary

70's Style Tunic Refashion

                 I purchased this for a whopping $3.99 at "Goodwill."

     The tags were still on and it had never been worn!  Retail value $32.00

                                               BEFORE

                                             

This garment was a size large, :(  but it was from a junior manufacturer.  This means it was not meant to fit a 53 year old mother of two LOL!

      My solution?  Add some gussets on the sides.  That gave my curvy hips more room while giving the illusion that I am a little skinnier.  Love the magic of color blocking!

  I have paired it with my retro bell bottoms ($9.99 from "Old Navy") and a necklace I made myself.  (See below)  The purse is a long ago purchase.  I can't even remember the price or where I got it, but it is a denim friendly shade of blue and a basic barrel style.  The boots are the brown version of what I like to call my "faux stillettos."

                                        

AFTER

Check out the accessories and the tutorial below 

Necklace of my own design made from an old bracelet, chain, and a variety of of blue white and clear beads.

I adore these boots.  I am trying to find them again on line or in the stores.  They were a steal at $30 by "Nickels"

 

70's style Tunic Tutorial

 Cut the side seams open and let them fall naturally around my dress form so the top will skim (not vacuum seal) my body

Add a matching brown panel piece to the side.  Once I fit it to the size I wanted, I  cut another one for the other side.  This took a while to shape and fit.  Once I was finished,  I hand basted and checked the fit before sewing.  From there it was just a matter of hemming and seam finishing and I was done in about 2 hours total.

Hope you like this one!

As always, happy thrifting and refashioning!

Mary